Japan considering biometric identification for casino access

GGR Asia reports that Japan’s government is looking at implementing biometric identification technology for locals wanting to enter proposed casino resorts. Foreigners would need to present a passport.

According to the report, the government had considered using Japan’s citizen number identification system to verify the identity of locals entering casinos but a report last month by Morgan Stanley found the adoption of the card has been poor, hovering at around 10 percent of the eligible Japanese population.

In January Melco Resorts Japan introduced its own biometrics-based casino security system. Named MelGuard, the technology uses biometric indicators to track casino visitors while removing human error from current exclusion systems.

According to a report by Casino.org, this is part of Melco’s push to earn a Japanese gaming license when the market opens to integrated casino resorts. Melco Japan President Ako Shiraogawa said she hopes the demonstration will prove that Melco is taking their bid for a Japanese license as seriously as possible.

With the MelGuard system, gamblers and other visitors need to first be issued Melco membership cards and pay any entry fees that might be established in the Japanese market. Upon arrival at the resort, each individual would have their identity verified electronically via both fingerprints and facial recognition technology before the system’s gates would open and allow them to enter.